GAME DAY INFORMATION
ARKANSAS TECH GOLDEN SUNS 7-0 (6-0 GAC)	HARDING LADY BISONS 5-2 (5-2 GAC)
Monday, February 8 | 5:30 p.m. Russellvile, Ark. | Tucker Coliseum LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO | LISTEN LIVE | ATU NOTES

TIPPING OFF
Continuing their winning ways, the Golden Suns are 7-0 to start the season, just like they did in 2014-15. Arkansas Tech will face off against rival Harding on Monday night in Tucker Coliseum.
 
The last time the Golden Suns took the court, they won in convincing fashion, topping Henderson State 98-62. Arkansas Tech's game against Arkansas-Monticello on Saturday was postponed due to COVID-19 protocols.
 
Arkansas Tech jumped to an early 10-3 lead to start the game and never looked back. Offense was blistering as the Golden Suns shot 75 percent from the field, going 12-of-16. A jumper from Jayana Sanders gave Arkansas Tech their largest lead of the quarter, 27-14.
 
The offensive tear continued for the Golden Suns in the second quarter, scoring seven of the first nine points to start the quarter. A layup from Kaley Shipman extended the Golden Suns lead to 22 going into halftime, Arkansas Tech leading 51-29.
 
Entering the third quarter, Arkansas Tech's defense stepped up, allowing just ten points from the Henderson State. The pressure from the Golden Suns only allowed the Reddies to score four baskets in the quarter. Offense also pushed their lead even further, using a 23-10 run to go up 74-39 going into the final frame.
 
The final quarter, the Reddies finally found the bottom of the basket, pouring in 23 points in the final ten minutes, but the Golden Suns were too much to overtake. Arkansas Tech went 8-of-16 from field. A three-pointer from Abby James gave the Golden Suns a 40-point lead before the final buzzer rang, victory Arkansas Tech 98-62.
 
TECH TIDBITS
The Golden Suns enter play against Harding with a 7-0 overall record and a 6-0 mark in the GAC. As a team, the Golden Suns are 86.4 ppg and rank second in the GAC. On the defensive end of the court, the Golden Suns sport the second-best scoring defense in the league, giving up an average of 65.3 ppg. In terms of field goal percentage, the Golden Suns are the best in the conference as they are shooting at an overall clip of .487 (213-of-474). Arkansas Tech is second in the GAC, limiting opponents to a .322 mark (161-of-500).
 
Individually, the Golden Suns have five players averaging double figures in scoring. Sophomore Kaley Shipman leads the way at 15.3 ppg. Behind her is newcomer Ashlei Lopez at 14.4 ppg. Redshirt Freshman Jalei Oglesby is third with 13.5 followed by senior Jayana Sanders with 13.4 ppg and junior newcomer Nikki Metcalfe rounds out double-figure scoring for the Golden Suns at 11.0 ppg.
 
The Golden Suns are coached by Dave Wilbers, who is in his 14th season on the sidelines at Tech. A newly-minted member of the 300-career win club, Wilbers has a career record of 305-93. Overall in his time at Tech, Wilbers has kept the Golden Suns as perennial contenders in the GAC, the region and the nation, winning 20 or more games nine times, capturing six conference regular championships, five conference tournament championships and advancing to eight NCAA Regional Tournaments.
 
SCOUTING THE LADY BISONS
Harding enters their game against the Golden Suns 5-2 overall and 5-2 in the GAC. The Lady Bisons lost their first two matchups of the season, against Arkansas- Monticello and the Golden Suns. Since their opening losses, the Lady Bisons have won their last five games. Harding took down Ouachita Saturday, 66-63.
 
The Lady Bisons took on the Lady Tigers in their season debut. Harding shot a season-low 27 percent from the field, going 18-of-66.  The Lady Bisons opened the game with a 10-4 lead before the Tigers tied things up at 12 in the first quarter. The teams went back and fourth in the second, with the Lady Tigers leading 29-28 going into halftime. The Lady Tigers saw their biggest lead of 10 (56-46) in the fourth quarter before free throws from the Lady Bisons secured a victory, 66-63.
 
The Lady Bisons have four players averaging double figures. Sage Hawley leads with 14.4 ppg. Followed by Carissa Caples with 13.6, Kennedy Cooper with 10.5 and Kelli Lampo rounds out the Lady Bisons double-figure scoring with 10.3 ppg.
 
The Lady Bisons are coached by Tim Kirby, who is in his 16th season at Harding. In his time as a head coach at Harding, Kirby has amassed a 304-146 record.